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Max and Millie
About a year after I divorced, Jean came and lived with me for several years. This picture includes Jean and my kids, Lara, Cara and Jason. And Jean's dog Max. Jean had two dogs - Max and Millie - and three cats. We tried having Max and Millie and two of the cats live with us, but I was too allergic to the cats and the two dogs were just too much of a handful, so Max was the only one that lived with us. Jean's parents kept the others. Millie did come for extended stays now and then. Max was a Blue Heeler. Millie was also a Blue Heeler mix, but was a much smaller dog. Max and I became great friends. She seemed like a vicious dog at first meeting - she really knew how to put strangers off by barking and growling! Scared the devil out of not a few kids on Halloween! But I never knew her to attack anyone, and once she knew someone was a friend she dropped her act. One summer day, we were working outside on the front porch. The back door was open - we had come out that way. One of us accidentally rang the doorbell. The dogs' ears went up, and they both tore around to the back of the house, through the back door, and around to the front door where they could bark in their accustomed place. We often barbecued steaks in the summer. One day, we had some especially good T-bones (my favorite). After eating, I went to give each dog a bone. Max was extremely excited (as usual when food was in the offing). I opened the sliding back door, but before I could open the screen door Max when charging out - right into the screen. Bent the door all up and tore the screen loose. I still haven't gotten around to fixing it. Toni used to love T-bones too, and would gnaw on one for an hour or so and then leave quite a bit of bone. Not so with Max - in just a few seconds, there would be nothing left. Jean and I would often go out for dinner, and the dogs would usually be waiting in the car. We'd always be sure to bring them something. Millie had a strange affliction - when she'd get really excited, her jaws would lock up and she couldn't open her mouth. You can imagine how aggravating that must have been for her when food was being offered! After Jean moved out and into her own apartment, Max began succombing to old age. She became nearly blind. She'd try her best to walk around as confidently as she used to, but she was always running into things. And of course, the time came when she had to be put to sleep. Millie survived for several years after that, but is gone now too. |